The photo Austin Mitchell posted of himself, with the caption: ‘This is what a real Labour kitchen looks like.’
Photograph: Austin Mitchell/Twitter

The outgoing MP Austin Mitchell has been branded “a joke” by a fellow Labour member in a bizarre war of words over Ed Miliband’s two kitchens.

Mitchell was accused of craving attention in an angry message from Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Hull East and shadow solicitor general, who told the veteran MP: “Stop attacking us.”

The message – which was sent privately to Mitchell on Sunday – was published on 80-year-old Mitchell’s 2015 election blog on Monday night.

Turner allegedly wrote:

You’re a joke, Austin. It’s very sad to see it but it’s becoming increasingly apparent. You think it clever to attack us. It’s not clever and you’ve had plenty out of the party. Stop attacking us. I am reluctant to pull you up publicly because you love the attention so very much. If you can’t say anything supportive just keep your opinion to yourself. We need to retain Grimsby. You’ve done little to help with that. And I doubt you’ve ever had a kitchen in Grimsby. Mili has one in Donny [a reference to Doncaster North, the Labour leader’s constituency] and mine’s massive in east Hull. Thanks.

Mitchell then notes that Turner is “shadow solicitor general and Tweet censor” – an apparent reference to both Turner’s private message and his position as opposition assistant whip, tasked with maintaining party discipline in the Commons.

Mitchell’s once mighty majority (more than 16,000 in 1997) has now dwindled to just 714. He was almost beaten last time by the Conservative candidate, Victoria Ayling, who has since defected to Ukip. She’s standing in May for her new party. Last year, Nigel Farage said it was one of his party’s top target seats.